and many more benefits!

Find us on Facebook

GMAT Club Timer Informer

Hi GMATClubber!

Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:

Show Tags

05 Mar 2012, 16:01

1) Brief description of your full-time work experience.2.5 years in a Business Analyst role at a major credit card issuerHave one promotion so far. Likely to get a second promotion middle of this year.Informally mentored a few more junior analysis.

2) Your GMAT.770 (51Q, 45V) 5.5 AWA

3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation. For any graduate degrees, please provide the same info. If you grades are low, please indicate if there were extenuating circumstances.Cornell University 2009Double Major Economics , MathematicsGraduated Cum Laud in Math

GPA: ~3.5 don't remember exactly

4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.

No major volunteering experience. This is definitely a major weak spot for me.

I am an avid reader and belong to the local book club.

5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.

None

6) Your target programs.

MIT, Wharton, HBS

7) Your post-MBA goal.

I would like to do consulting for a few years to get exposure to a few different businesses. Then pick one to pursue full time.

I am fairly torn between applying this fall and next fall.

I would like to know several things:1) Are my schools out of reach because of a lack of ECs? If so will starting something up right now be too soon for this falls application cycle?

2) How much will having an extra year of work help me in the admissions process? I am likely to get a direct report if i stick around my job for an extra year. Will that greatly increase my chances because of the "leadership" dimension?

Show Tags

Regarding your extra-curriculars, I recommend you read this case study below. Extracurriculars are important because they not only show a well-rounded candidate, but they also provide an opportunity for leadership experience.

An extra year of work experience will help in your application if you are given more responsibility and can exhibit progress in your career.

Overall, nothing about your story makes me think there is any reason why you cannot be admitted, but nothing stands out telling me why you should be admitted. All of the reasons why a top program would admit you are in the details of your work experience, personal experiences, personality, values and overall story.

Here is some school specific advice for the programs you are considering: